MontrealAlouettes.com
by Steve Lyberopoulos
MONTREAL – The winter solstice marks the official onset of winter on December 22, but every year, almost without fail, snow and ice capriciously graze the streets unannounced far earlier than that.
And this coming Sunday in the CFL’s East Final, Alouettes runnings back coach Mark Speckman knows that his rushers may be confronted with much more than just hulking Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebackers. There is no secret recipe, no extraordinary method, according to him, in overcoming the elements.
“It’s all about the concentration on the fundamentals in hanging onto the football,” explains Speckman. “You really have to be thinking about ball security, it has to be in your head all the time.”
Traditionally, inclement weather points to increased reliance on the running game with passing through the air representing a sometimes-dicey proposition when you’re going up against wind. Fortunately for the Alouettes, they may have as many as three healthy running backs to choose from this Sunday. Head coach Tom Higgins told reporters after practice that two or more of Tyrell Sutton, Brandon Rutley, and Chris Rainey could be in uniform against the Tiger-Cats.
“I’m hoping my guys are excited [about running the ball in that weather].”
But as has been the case for all of this bizarrely memorable 2014 season for the Alouettes, it turns out that it doesn’t really matter who is manning the backfield for this team – as long as they’ve been coached by Mark Speckman.
The Alouettes dressed what were, effectively, their number 3 and 4 tailbacks this past week against the BC Lions in the East Semi-Final and didn’t miss a beat. Brandon Rutley – who was removed from the practice roster earlier this season before being added back later in the campaign – and Chris Rainey – another mid-season pickup – combined to gash the Lions for 169 yards on 18 carries. For fans keeping score at home, those numbers average out to a ridiculous 9.39 yards per carry, or almost a standard first down every time either back was handed the football. Both Rutley and Rainey registered a rushing touchdown, the latter doing so on a gamebreaking 64-yard handoff from Alex Brink to put the game completely out of reach early in the fourth quarter.
There is something to be said about depth and getting the most out of it, but these Alouettes running backs have made it so performance remains at its highest level, notwithstanding the name on the back of the jersey.
With respect to the players who worked hard to momentously reach their apex last Sunday at McGill, a substantial amount of credit has to go to the 59-year old standing by their side, who would prefer to steer the recognition towards the players in his tutelage.
“It’s hard to come off the bench, no doubt about it. I was proud of both them. They’ve both put the extra time and effort in, especially Rutley,” offered the second-year coach. ”He’s a real conscientious guy, so I was pretty confident he was going to do well. Chris had a more limited role, but he has some crazy good skills, and so he was able to highlight that on the one big run.”
It was indeed Rutley who carried the load for the Alouettes, out-touching Rainey at a five-to-one pace throughout the snowy afternoon. Entering the contest, Rutley had a total of 3 career carries to his name for 23 yards, but inexperience wasn’t going to be a deterring factor in giving him the nod.
“I thought Rutley, for not having played in years, really, did an outstanding job. He ran the ball well, blocked well. Like Tom [Higgins] said, he was a consummate pro.”
More than that, the 5’11”, 192-lb Tuscaloosa, AL native was a running reminder that ability alone isn’t a calling card for success.
“I think the guy’s a very talented player,” he added.“I really liked him in camp, so I was pleased that he was brought back. He’s a good story for perseverance.”
Injured but not forgotten, Brandon Whitaker and Tyrell Sutton both enjoyed very productive 2014 seasons, finishing in the top-15 finishes for rushing yards. Whitaker (4.5 YPC) placed 5th despite missing the final 4 games of the year due to injury. Sutton has continued to prove his worth with strong play in relief and outright replacement of B-Whit.
Indeed, Sutton’s explosive style has earned him high marks with Speckman, who admits that keeping both men hungry for more is just part of the job, and that he is not an advocate of the concept of a lead back. Splitting the carries between Whitaker/Sutton and whoever else makes up the active running back tandem these days is all part of the plan.
“It’s a fine line. You want a back who wants and thinks he should get the ball every time, but on the other hand, that’s not really in the best interest of your team. It’s an 18-game season, we’ve proven this year you need an army of guys to get through and be successful. “
Speckman has instituted a culture of competitive teamwork amongst his running backs, one that has worked well so far in ensuring that they push each other to collectively perform as a group of individuals, and not as individuals in a group. Ego and personal gain has been pushed aside in favour of the greater good.
“You have to keep preaching to those guys: ‘your time’s coming’. I really try to sell them on the idea of longevity: ‘you’re still going to get your carries, you’re maybe not getting to get hit as much per game and hopefully you’ll get through the season.’ “
All in the name of the team, according to the coach.
“It comes down to what’s best for the Alouettes. [Football] is the ultimate team game and they have to understand the role they play, and I’ve been real pleased with the fact that I never got any sniff that there was frustration on [Brandon Whitaker and Tyrell Sutton]’s part,” Speckman continues. “If you ask them, they’ll want the ball every time and they think they should be getting the ball every time and we should be running more! I agree with them [laugh], but the bottom line is winning football games.”
Speckman once coached at the oldest university in the United States, piloting the Willamette Bearcats from 1998 to 2011, twice winning Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, twice capturing the Northwest Conference championship, and thrice qualifying for the NCAA Division III playoffs. So, really, it should come as no surprise that the one-time linebacker has honed his coaching philosophy down to an exact science.
“We really try to foster this idea of teammwork, in professional sports, that even though everybody wants to feel like “the guy”, sometimes we don’t need “the guy”: we need “guys”. You really need to pound that into their heads. [Tyrell and Brandon] are good people, so that helps a lot too.”
The Alouettes are one win away from reaching the Grey Cup and, one thing is for certain, the running game led by coach Mark Speckman is a pivotal reason their improbable turnaround rages on.
